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Walmart opened its controversial Neighborhood Market grocery store in Boulder on Wednesday, the discount retail giant's first foray into a city that rebuffed its past attempts to bring a much larger Supercenter to town.

Dozens of Walmart officials and several shoppers were on hand for the 7:30 a.m. grand opening of the grocery store at 2972 Iris Ave., in the Diagonal Plaza. By day's end, Walmart officials said more than 1,000 shoppers had passed through the store's front doors.

The opening also was met by a slow-to-materialize "unwelcome party," with six to 10 protesters appearing by mid-morning to hold signs bearing slogans such as "Walmart Out of Boulder" and "Welfare Mart." The group eventually swelled to several dozen picketers.

They didn't seem to deter shoppers, though.

Megan Evoe, 34, popped by the Walmart after a workout at 24 Hour Fitness. Evoe, who recently moved to Boulder from Austin, Texas, said she planned to be a frequent visitor to the store that is "super convenient" because of its proximity to her gym and home.